Australians ought to be ashamed of themselves imo, these figures...

Australians ought to be ashamed of themselves imo, these figures are a disgrace they will all want me to subsidise their retirements, no wonder so many on this forum blame everyone else when the market goes down they are probably desperately short of retirement funds. How long has super been around 20 odd years?

"Between June 2006 and end-January 2008 there would have been a further estimated 12 per cent increase in balances. Superannuation accounts already make up about half the wealth of individuals outside the family home. This proportion has increased in recent years as growth in the value of super has outstripped the average growth in other assets.

However, average balances are still relatively low, with the bulk of superannuation assets held by a minority of the population.

The average balances achieved in 2006 were:

$69,050 for men; and $35,520 for women
The average retirement payouts in 2006 were:

$136,000 for men, and $63,000 for women
ASFA estimates that the average retirement payouts in early 2008 are likely to be:

$155,000 for men, and $73,000 for women
The figures indicate that only around three per cent of new retirees in 2006 had $500,000 or more in superannuation. Around $500,000 is the amount needed to support a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. Around 15 per cent had $200,000 or more in super, with that amount
sufficient to finance at least a modest lifestyle in retirement. The bulk of current retirees by necessity face a relatively low cost standard of living in retirement."